Suburbs roll out vaccination plans
With preregistration spots filling almost immediately, area residents are urged to keep track on county websites
As the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines gains momentum, officials in Houston-area suburbs have been releasing plans for how to get doses into the arms of those most in need. Here is a look at how different counties are providing vaccinations:
Fort Bend
Preregistration is currently closed. Officials said they would not be reopening registration because enough residents had already signed up to receive most of the latest shipment of vaccines. Once preregistration is reopened, those who meet the criteria of the Texas Department of State Health Services’ Phase 1A or Phase 1B categories can sign up at fbchealth.org.
People who fall in the Phase 1A category include first responders and health care workers. Those in the Phase 1B category include persons age 65 or older and those 16 and older with an underlying health condition.
Officials announced last week they had received a shipment of nearly 6,000 doses of vaccine, which will allow them to proceed with shots for some 5,000 residents who had signed up.
Residents can monitor fbchealth.org and the social media pages of Fort Bend County Judge KP George for more information. They can also call the county’s hotline at 832-471-1373.
Galveston
County officials announced Wednesday that eligible persons could sign up via a wait list to receive a vaccine at utmbhealth.com/vaccine.
Eligible people also must meet the requirements of Phase 1A and 1B; they were being prioritized based on their risk of severe disease or hospitalization. However, an individual does not have to be a resident of Galveston or a patient at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston to register.
County officials and UTMB also announced plans this month to collaborate on a mass COVID-19 vaccination hub at Walter Hall Park in League City.
They held a Jan. 23 event at the site, where more than 700 people were vaccinated. Residents were encouraged to monitor UTMB’s website for updates at www.utmb.edu/covid-19/vaccine.
The Walter Hall Park site has a drive-thru format, with three to four lanes.
Brazoria County
Residents eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines can register for appointments at four county health clinics.
The Brazoria County Health Department was taking appointments for people who met the Phase 1A or 1B requirements for vaccinations. Appointments were available at four locations: Angleton (979-864-1484), Alvin (281-5853024), Lake Jackson (979-2654446), and Pearland (281-4855344).
Qualified residents can also register online at us.pomelo.health/brazoriacountytx/ forms/VJ. Available slots were filled as of Thursday.
Montgomery County
Officials said Friday that all available appointments to get the vaccine were full but residents should keep an eye on the county website for the next sign-up period.
Residents were encouraged to visit the Montgomery County Public Health District website at https://mcphd-tx.org/, as well as monitor its Facebook page and Twitter account, @mctx_publichealth.
County officials said Monday they had been allocated an additional 400 doses of the Moderna vaccine, which they were making available to those 65 and older or those 18 and older with one chronic medical conditions. Preregistration filled up the day it was announced.
The vaccinations were to be administered at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 9333 Airport Road in Conroe.
Lone Star Family Health Center received an additional 2,000 doses of Moderna vaccine for distribution this week, also at the fairgrounds. Those slots also filled up. Those interested should monitor www.lonestarvaccine.com for updates.
Chambers County
Preregistration opened Wednesday online for Chambers County residents to receive a vaccine Thursday.
The county said that other vaccination sites were being planned and that preregistration would be announced as additional doses became available. Residents should monitor Chambers County Public Health Department’s website at www.co.chambers.tx.us/page/covidvaccine and follow its social media pages on Facebook and on Twitter, @cctxhealthdept.